Mussina is a new old-timer

Pitcher welcomed back at Yankees' annual event

Jay Cohen Associated Press

Published 1:00 am, Monday, July 20, 2009

NEW YORK — Mike Mussina enjoyed kidding around with some of his former teammates Sunday. He appreciated the warm ovation and chants of "Mooooose" when he was introduced at his first New York Yankees Old-Timers' Day.

And when it was over, he was ready to get back to his full-time job as Little League coach for his two sons and any other Montoursville, Pa., youngster interested in his help.

"I'm enjoying it. I really am," said Mussina, who retired last year at 39 after becoming the oldest pitcher to win 20 games for the first time. "People tell me, 'Well, you're going to have to find something to do and you're going to get bored with it.' Well, maybe someday I will.

"But right now, with two boys under 11 years old, there's a lot of stuff I've got to do so I'm really good with being retired."

Mussina was one of eight newcomers for the 63rd annual Old-Timers' Day and first at the new Yankee Stadium. Don Zimmer, the bench coach for four World Series championships with New York, wore pinstripes for the first time since an angry split with owner George Steinbrenner following the 2003 season.

"It's fun to see the guys, see the ballpark," said Zimmer, a senior adviser in Tampa Bay's front office now in his 61st year in baseball.

Mel Stottlemyre, who said he was tired of Steinbrenner's criticism when he left his position as New York's pitching coach in 2005, also made an appearance.